By clicking on the button below, you can make a contribution online to the "Legacy of Faith". When making a contribution, you link to a secure site which enables you build an online giving account (if you do not have one) and to give to a number of different funds. You may choose only the Legacy of Faith fund, or multiple funds if you wish.

By clicking on the button below, you can make a contribution online to the "Legacy of Faith". When making a contribution, you link to a secure site which enables you build an online giving account (if you do not have one) and to give to a number of different funds. You may choose only the Legacy of Faith fund, or multiple funds if you wish.

In April of 2016, the family of Margaret Steffan approached the congregation about the sale of her property at141 5th Avenue West in Dickinson—directly east of the church parking lot. Mrs. Steffan had occupied the home on the property since the 1960’s. During the late 60’s, Mildred and Sophia Monke were instrumental in acquiring a portion of the lot, which is now the parking lot at St. John. Margaret Steffan passed away in March 2016.

At a congregational meeting on July 19, 2016, the congregation voted to purchase the property in order to create green space, funding the purchase by a loan from the St. John Trust Fund. The loan would then be repaid through a capital campaign.

The congregation authorized the property to become “green space” at the July 19, 2016 meeting of the

congregation. Since then, a Visioning Team appointed by the council has proposed to use the space for a garden or park. In the next several months as the Visioning Team continues its research, the council will discern how to utilize the green space in the most faithful way to Live in Service to Christ.

In late July, a generous family from St. John approached Pastor Lisa with a gift of $200,000 to be used to purchase the property. They requested to remain anonymous.

St. John Council members were astounded by the family’s generosity. Since a Trust Fund loan would no longer be necessary, the Council wondered about continuing with a capital campaign focusing on outreach. Leadership discerned to invite others to be generous, like the family who gave the initial generous gift.

Considering the mission and vision of St. John, and areas that have the greatest need, it was decided to concentrate the campaign on the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center and the Ministry Trust Fund.

Women came to the shelter not having any idea where they were going to live and with no idea of the services available for them. DVRCC staff has helped them to make these life changing decisions and continue to provide direct services to women and children who are victims of violence.

Assisting with Daily Living Needs DVRCC also assists shelter residents with many of their basic needs such as groceries, laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, transportation and child care throughout the transitional period from their abusive situation to self sufficiency. A staff person is a case manager for each resident and works with them to obtain housing, employment, counseling and other services as needed.

Why is this a critical time to assist the Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center?

DVRCC started a capital campaign last fall to raise funds for a desperately needed new home. There is not sufficient space in the existing facility to adequately accommodate the number of women and children who need to be there.

The initial plans for the new home included 52 beds and the cost was going to be $3.5 million to $4 million. Due to the pulling of a $750,000 state oil impact grant, they have downsized the plans to house a maximum of 30 beds. The building cost will be closer to $3 million.

The Synod Ministry Trust Fund is a fund within the Western North Dakota Endowment Fund. We sow the Good News of Jesus Christ through the worship services, outreach in Jesus’ name, and by serving our neighbor. To maintain healthy congregations we need pastors and other rostered leaders willing to serve. Funding educational debt makes it more likely that leaders will be able to serve in synods like ours where salaries are low.

The Ministry Trust Fund provides ~

∙ Scholarships to seminary students from Western North Dakota who are preparing for rostered

ministry in the ELCA.

∙ Debt relief to rostered leaders who are called to serve congregations and ministries of the

Western North Dakota Synod.

What are the financial needs of seminary students & first call pastors?

On average, seminarians now graduate with more than $40,000 in debt, some with twice that amount. Whereas, in 1955, the cost of operating a seminary was paid entirely by the church, today, only 8% of seminary income comes from churchwide and synod support.

What else can we do to support seminary students?

From 2004 to 2015, seminary enrollment dropped from 1,252 to 725. Over the next four years

(2016-2019), it is estimated that approximately 400 pastors will retire annually, while approximately

200 seminary students will be ordained. There is a growing need for ordained clergy as synods and seminaries continue to seek ways to make seminary more accessible for second-career students. Providing funds to the Ministry Trust Fund will make theological education more affordable for all students.

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